Chapter 3 - Taking flight into uncertainty

As they all emerge from their little hideout again, Robbie makes sure to go last. It's not a spaceous exit and while she can get in and out without too much trouble, she's scared every time that this is the time she's not going to fit. And she definitely doesn't want Emilia, or Tanya either, behind her to watch that.

Once outside, she lets her friends know that she's heading to the farm to check on Freddy and to get the number of the Åströms' regular vet. She hesitates for a moment, wanting to ask Emilia to come along, but then chickens out. When Emilia decides to follow her anyway, Robbie can't hide an excited smile. They make their way from school to the farm located at the outskirts of Kungsberga. "Come on," Robbie exclaims excitedly. "I'll show you where Freddy is." She again hesitates just briefly but this time, doesn't chicken out and she grabs Emilia's hand as she pulls her towards the rabbit hutch that she has turned into Freddy's temporary home. "You can feed him if you want," she offers as she pulls the slimmer girl along with her.

She should just let the two of them get on with it. Go home, forget about talking pigeons, scientists.. . Dead dogs...

The image was stuck in her brain and it should make her want to ignore everything even more, but the idea the pigeons coul be dangerous. Freddie could be dangerous.

So she found herself awkwardly tagging behind Robbie, telling herself it was just so the other two didn't get all the fame if they didn't somehow get any from a talking pigeon of all things.

She is clearly startled as her hand is dragged and there is a brief protest as she is pulled towards the coop..

'.. Not sure I want my finger near him.' She eyes the bird warily. It was hard to think such a thing could kill a dog...

Robbie giggles happily at her bird-friend's comments. She still finds Freddie really entertaining. "He remembers you," she whispers to Emilia. "And that you had the mirror."
To Freddie, she says, "We don't have a mirror, but Emilia said she would give you some food. But you have to promise not to peck or hurt her, okay?"
She doesn't expect the bird to understand that all, but she likes speaking to him.

Robbie points to the container of bird food, then looks at Emilia expectantly, waiting for her to feed Freddie. He does not look dangerous at all, after all, so why would Emilia be scared of him?

Emilia throws Robbie a look. That was the opposite of what she had said. She sighs before handing to the food, letting Robbie direct her on how much to give.

'I' m sorry.. I'll bring something shiny next time.
She speaks to bird as she does so before glancing at Robbie.
'He seems...someowhat smart. Have you just asked where he' s from? '

Robbie watches as Emilia gives the pigeon some of the bird food and as he begins to peck it up. "We could also try to dig for a worm for him," she suggests, though she immediately regrets it. As if Emilia would want to get dirty searching for worms. "I just mean that he would probably like that. But we don't have to," she quickly adds, her cheeks flushed.

She then shakes her head at the girl's question. "I don't think I have," she says before leaning in towards Freddie. "Freddie?" she asks to get his attention. "Can you tell us where you're from? Where did you learn to speak?"

Robbie gets a look of horror at the suggestion. '... Given the rumours going around school you wanting to go digging for worms? She was already concerned about her shoes and clothes getting dirty here, she definitely was not digging around in the muck.

Robbie avoids looking at Emilia's face, clearly embarrassed at having made a suggestion like that. "No, I know, you're right. That was silly. But actually, I was just joking," she then lies, but it's about as far from believable as it can be. "Of course we're not digging for worms. That would be ridiculous."

Emilia sighs, picking up on the girls embaraament. '.... Maybe if we keep him a while... And when I'm wearing worse clothes. And the rumours have settled down. I can't have Izzy somehow finding out.' She mumbles

Robbie's cheeks are still bright red and she's looking away from her, but Emilia's words make her smile to herself. Does that mean Emilia does want to be her friend?
But she doesn't respond, worried she'll just further embarrass herself. Instead, she turns her attention back to Freddie. Their conversation interrupted him before he could answer, so she asks him the same questions again: "Freddie, where are you from? Where did you learn to speak?"

For a moment, Robbie is distracted by awwing at how cute the excited pigeon is, but then she thinks about his words. She turns to Emilia. "Is he saying he wants to show us his home? But how could he, unless we let him free? And then he could just fly away."

'I.. think so? We could.. are there leads for pigeons? No of course there aren't thats stupid.. umm we tie a string around his leg?'

"But what if we hurt him that way?" Robbie asks, chewing her lip. "If he pulls too hard, I mean. Birds aren't used to flying like that." She thinks for a moment, then says, "We could put him in a portable cage and then he could try to lead the way but that might be confusing for him. Maybe we should ask this bird expert for advice, if Tanya manages to find his address."

I guess... are you guys sure we should tell and adult? I'm not sure if..' She hesitates as she tries to find the words. 'Adults they.. how do we know he just won't take Freddie for himself?'

That thought seems to worry Robbie. After a moment, she suggests, "Maybe we shouldn't take him to the guy then. We could tell the bird expert that we saw those pigeons but keep it a secret that we caught one of them. Though he probably wouldn't believe us then." She looks at little Freddie in his cage. "But I don't want him to take Freddie away. I really like Freddie."
She sighs, then says, "How about you talk to him for a bit while I get the number for the vet and then we meet Tanya again and discuss it all. She's pretty dang smart, so I bet she would have some good ideas as well."